Replacement shade structure



Aug. 26, 1941. a I w.'|v|. HICKS 2,253,519

' 4 REPLACEMENT SHADE srnvcwunn I Filed Aug. 21, 1939 INVENTOR.

v MK/fame m'cbs Patented Aug. 26, 1941 UN lTED STAT E S PAT E N T OFFI C E a 2,253,519 REPLACEMENT SHADE STRUCTURE William -Morse Hicks, Cincinnati; Ohio Application August 21, 1939, Serial No. 291,123 12 Claims. (015156-25) This invention relates to replacement shade structures; and the present application'is a continuation in part "of copendi'ng application Serial No. 286,816, filed July '27, 1939.

An object of this invention is to provide a highly effective and simplified means for'accomplishing' the replacement of window shades upon ex isting shade 'rollers, with the expenditure of a minirnuiriof labor and effort, at low cost.

Another object'of'the invention 'is to provide a replacement shade structure having the characteristics mentioned, which willautomatically adapt itself for'use upon existing shade rollers which may vary-to some extent'in diameter.

A further object of the invention is to provide a replacement shade structure of the" character stated; which may easily and quickly be cut to length in'orderj'to fit existing shade rollers for windowsof different widths, and which will have no tendency to slip or become accidentally dislocated inits relationship to the'roller subsequently to application thereon.

Another object 'o'fthe invention is to facilitate and expedite; the fabrication of replacement shadestructure's, 'while at the same time effecting a reduction in manufacturing and packaging costs Another object is to provide a structure of the character-described, which will fit any existing shade roller with accuracyasto its concentricity therewith,- so as'to ensure that the replacement shade will run true upon the roller during usage.

These and other objects are attained by the means described herein and disclosed in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figrl is anend view of a replacement shade constituting part of the invention.

Fig. 2 is'an elevational'view of the improved replacement-shadestructure showing application thereof to-a roller, part being broken away to show-a cross section thereof.

Fig. 3 is-an elevational view demonstrating the manner of applyinga replacement shade structure to an existing roller which is slightly undersize.

Fig. 4 is an elevational View of a traveling friction ring or self-locating bushing which constitutes a detail of'the invention.

Fig. 5 is a fragmental perspective view'of a modified form of replacement shade structure.

It has been customary heretofore, to provide replacement window shades with a gummed strip or other suitable attaching means, for applying the replacement shade to an existing roller. Such replacement shades ordinarilywere prepared for shipment-and sale by rolling them upon an inner core, or inserting-them within aprotective tube in order to preclude injury to the shades.

In most instances the cores or protective tubes formed no operative part of the shade structure,

and were usually discarded by the purchaser upon applying ashade to an existing roller.

As the-result of this practice, the preparation ner core element of tubularformatiomsuch practice wascbjectionable in-that diificulty was encountered by the customer in applying the replacement shade to rollers which were undersi'ze in diameter. Shaderollers have been manufactured and sold in several different diameters, and. the' diameters wereso nearly alike as-to render measurement thereof extremely difficult without the useof calipers. was placed at-a disadvantage in the attempt'to. determinewhat size of replacement shade would fit the rollers of "different sizes used on his premises? In all forms of-replacement shade-structures heretofore known, it was diflicult-to make the replacement shade track true upon the roller in the-winding'andunwinding of the shade web upon the roller. The remedy for this was to remove the replacement shade, and attempt to properly reapply it; with the result thatthe shade was frequently destroyed or mutilated in the attempt. I The'present inventionfurnishes a simple yet practical means of schade replacement which isnot affected by slight variations in roller diameters, and which may be manufactured and sold at a minimum cost. The means of the invention performs the additional function of preserving the replacement shade in a salable condition, due' to its protective characteristics. The replacement'shade structure of the invention is more-- over easy to apply, and may be trimmed to prop:

er length for attachment to different lengths of rollers easily and quickly; using simple tools capable of severing or trimming paper or card board.

Accordingly; the purchaser A With reference to the accompanying drawing, the character I indicates an ordinary shade roller which usually comprises end caps 8, a fixed axle stub 9, and a flattened extending winding key member In axially of the roller. It should be understood that the roller I contains the usual spring means for power rotating the roller in one direction, the winding key l being as usual, restricted with reference to its rotational movement by means of one or more latching pawls, in a manner well known in the art.

The character I2 indicates a substantially cylindrical tube formed preferably of cardboard, fiber, metal or other rigid material, about which is wound the shade web I3, said shade web being of a width approximately the length of the tube, and having an inner end I4 adhesively or otherwise secured to the exterior surface of the tube. The opposite or outer end l5 of the web may be hemmed to receive the usual shade strip of wood or other rigid material, generally found applied to the outer or leading edge of a window shade.

It is here to be noted that Figs. 2 and 3 have the shade web omitted therefrom in the interest of clarity in the disclosure, and this should be kept in mind in reading the instant disclosure.

In practice, the inside diameter of the tube 12 will be dimensioned so as to snugly fit the largest existing common shade rollers, so that when the larger roll is inserted into the tube, there will be present sufficient frictional engagement to preclude rotation of the tube relative to the roller. The smaller rollers, which will hereafter be referred to as undersize rollers, obvi- 1 ing of the tube with its attached shade, upon the roller.

The following characteristics of the traveling friction ring or self-locating bushing are to be observedwith particularity. Such ring or bushing is to be resilient and of such nature as to assume a concentric relationship to the roller when applied thereto. Preferably, it should be of such a material as will travel or roll along the roller progressively as the shade carrying tube is applied by sliding it axially along the roller. The purpose of this is to preclude bursting or tearing of the tube, as Well as removal of part of its inner wall by any grating or abrasive action between the bushing and the tube interior.

'In that form of the invention disclosed in Fig. 2, the traveling friction rings or self-locating bushings are indicated by the reference characterslB and I1, and each comprises one or more convolutions of a rubber cord, or a rubber band, wound aboutthe roller. A length of thin rubber cord, or a band of the same material, has been found to possess peculiar characteristics, which render its use in the combination particularly advantageous and unusual, in that a friction ring or bushing so produced, will be peculiarly affectedby frictional heat generated upon applying the tube l2 to the roller. That is to say, the several convolutions of the rubber cord or bandwill be rolled along as the tube is applied, and heated to the extent of melting the rubber and rendering it very tacky, so that the inner wall of the tube will be tenaciously stuck to the exterior of the roller whereby to preclude all possibility of rotating the tube relative to the roller once it has been applied thereto. The area of the roller covered by the sticky substance into which the ordinarily dry rubber cord, or band is converted by the frictional heat as above mentioned, will depend upon the amount of space existing between the roller exterior and the inner wall of the tube. In other words, rollers which nearly fit the tube, will have the sticking substance spread thereover along a greater area than would be covered if a greater size differential were present between the tube and the roller. When applying the very smallest of rollers to the replacement shade-bearing tube, additional convolutions of rubber cord material would preferably be applied to the roller before application of the tube.

Fig. 3 discloses a modification wherein the traveling ring or self-locating bushing, here indicated at I8, is in the form of a circular, relatively thick, ring or band of soft rubber having a high degree of resiliency, and which is preferably circular in cross section.

Such a ring obviously is easily applicable to the shade roller, as illustrated in Fig. 3, and will roll progressively along the roller as the tube I2 is advanced from one end of the roller to the other. This ring preferably is of such thickness as to tightly bush the smallest common shade roller to a given uniform size of tube I2.

To apply the replacement shade tube of Fig. 3. it is necessary only to position the traveling friction rings, as illustrated, one being placed at substantially the middle point of the roller, and the other near one end thereof. The tube is then started onto the end of the roller which carries a friction ring I8, and this ring will yield to receive the tube snugly. As the tube is advanced to the left of Fig. 3, the endmost ring I8 will roll along the roller, and when the advanced end I9 of tube I2 contacts the middle friction ring, it likewise will be rolled along and advanced toward the opposite end 20 of the roll- By the time the tube is fully advanced upon the roller to the position of Fig. 2, the rings I8 will have assumed the same positions as are indicated at l6 and I! of Fig. 2; Because of the fact that the rings in their new positions will be spaced apart a distance approximating half the length of the roller, the tube will have ample support for keeping it in a concentric relationship with the roller.

In the Fig. 3 construction, the friction rings or self-locating bushings I8wil1not be subjected to the degree of frictional heat encountered by the rings or bushings I6 and I! of Fig. 2, wherefore the Fig. 3 construction will depend upon the density of the ring material for its concentricity and rigidity and frictional engagement with the roller. In either of the examples disclosed in Figs. 2 and 3, the frictional binding force between the tube and the roller is sufficient for precluding relative rotation of the elements. The

' friction ring or self-locating bushing in either case may be formed of material other than rubher, if desired, provided that the material will have the necessary characteristics for maintaining the concentricity and a binding action of a substantial nature for ensuring proper winding and unwinding of the shade web relative to the tube of the replacement shade structure, without distortion, cracking, or mutilation of theweb.

As will readily be understood, replacement shade structures of the character disclosed in 1 will be supplied to purchasers, together with the necessary elements for the formation of a traveling friction ring or'self-locating bushing, in order that the purchaser may be certain that the replacement-shade structure will sured also of receiving a replacement shade structure in good condition because of the fact that the tube furnishes a rigid core protecting the shade web against cracking and mutilation during handling and shipment. If the'replacement shade structure of Fig. 1 is too long for the purchasers needs, then he may easily reduce the length thereof by cutting off or otherwise removing a section of its length.

In the modified form of the invention illustrated by Fig. 5, the replacement shade structure comprises a pair of preformed rigid elements 2'! and 22,,each of which is constituted of a cylinder se ment of lesser extent than a half cylinder. The accuracy of each segment approximates that of the common shade roller, so that both cylindrical segmests will nicely fit the curvature of the roller. One of the cylindersegments carries the shade web 23, which may be similar in all respects to the shade web l3 of Fig. 1, and it may be applied to the segment in any suitable manner such as by means of an adhesive or other attaching expedients, along the trailing edge 24 thereof.

In preparing the Fig. 5 structure for sale, the manufacturer places the two parts 2! and 22 upon a mandrel having the size of a common shade roller, and preferably the smallest form thereof, after which a plurality of rubber bands 25 are placed about the cylinder segments. The rubber bands are of a restricted size such that they -=williresiliently 'urge the longitudinal edges of the cylinder segments toward one another at all times. That is, the edges 26 and 27 of cylinder segment 2| will beconstantly urged toward the edges 28 and 29 of the other segment. With the segments and their encircling rubber bands supported upon the mandrel, the shade web 23 will be adhesively applied along the outer surface of either one of the segments and thereafter the mandrel will be rotated so as to wind the web thereon. Upon removal of the finished article from the mandrel, the segments 2| and 22 will be yieldingly urged toward one another by the action of the rubber bands or rings 25, while the shade material in its wound up condition retains the diameter originally imparted thereto during the winding operation initially performed upon the mandrel.

If the formed elements 2| and 22 be of slightly flexible material, one may be formed as a greater portion of a cylinder segment than the other, if desired. Then also, the smaller segment might be omitted entirely, retaining the rubber band or rmg.

If desired, the formed elements 2i and 22 may be prevented from moving together by the contractile action of the resilient rings or bands, by placing temporary discs of cardboard or other material within the tube near its ends, so that the purchaser will not be required to spread the elements apart in order to insert a shade roller therebetween. Such temporary discs would be displaced and expelled from the tube interior coincidentally with insertion of the shade roller.

Like the structures illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the replacement shade structure of Fig. 5 may be reduced in length by cutting or otherwise severing a section therefrom in order to render it co- Gil extensive in length with any given shade roller and it will also snugly and securely bind itself to the roller exterior because of the extensive areas of contact furnished within the cylinder segments 2| and 22. If desired, the rubber bands or rings -25 may be countersunk into the material of the segmental elements, but the thickness of the bands or rings ordinarily will be so slight as to have no injurious or objectionable effect upon the shade web wound thereon. In all forms of the invention herein disclosed, the shade web is ing in combination, a shade roller, a replacement shade including a tubular core encircling the roller and having an inside diameter greater than the roller diameter, and a web having a trailing edge secured to the tube, the web being wound upon the tube exteriorly thereof, and means for locating and maintaining the tube concentrically about the roller.

2. A structure of the class described comprising in combination, a shade roller, a replacement shade including a tubular core encircling the roller and having an inside diameter greater than the roller diameter, and a web having a trailing edge secured to the tube, the web being wound upon the tube exteriorly thereof, and resilient frictional means substantially fixing the roller to the tube against relative rotation and in substantial concentricity.

3. A structure of the class described comprising in combination, a shade roller, a'replacement shade including a tubular core encircling the roller and having an inside diameter greater than the roller diametenand a web having a trailing edge secured to the tube, the Web being wound upon the tube exteriorly thereof, and a resilient and frictional bushing consisting of a number of turns of rubber cord grouped together upon the roller and interposed between the tube and the roller, and bearing against both, for resisting relative movement therebetween.

4. A replacement Window shade structure for application to existing shade rollers of slightly different diameters, which comprises in combination, an elongated cylindrical tube having an inside diameter in excess of common roller diameters, and a shade web having a trailing edge fixed to the tube, the web being wound upon the exterior of the tube, and a resilient bushing encircling the roller and adapted for entry into the tube to bind against the tube interior upon sliding'the tube lengthwise onto a roller.

5. A replacement window shade structure for application to existing shade rollers of slightly different diameters, which comprises in combination, a plurality of substantially rigid elongated cylinder segments each having a pair of side edges, a resilient band encircling the segments and tending always to yieldingly urge the edges of one of said segments toward the edges of the other segment, and a shade web having a trailing edge fixed to one of said segments, said web being wound about both segments and the resilient band aforesaid.

6. A replacement window shade structure for application to existing shade rollers of slightly different diameters, which comprises in combination, a plurality of substantially rigid elongated cylinder segments each having a pair of side edges, a resilient band encircling the segments and tending always to yieldingly urge the edges of one of said segments toward the edges of the other segment, and a shade web having a trailing edge fixed to one of said segments, said web being wound about both segments and the resilient band aforesaid, on an inside diameter of the segments approximating a diameter of a roller of the largest size limit.

'7. A structure of the class described comprising in combination, a shade roller, a replacement shade including a tubular core encircling the roller and having an inside diameter greater than the roller diameter, and support means between the tube and the roller, including a self-locating traveling friction bushing shiftable along the roller upon advancement of the tubular core axially along the roller and over said bushing in contact therewith.

8. A structure of the class described comprising in combination, a'shade roller, a replacement shade including a tubular core encircling the roller and having an inside diameter greater than the roller diameter, and support means between the tube and the roller comprising at least two rubber bushings encircling the roller, one near an end of the roller and the other near the middle thereof.

9. The method of fitting a tubular shade web core to an undersize roller, which method comprises encircling the roller with a rubber band bushing which will melt and become tacky in the presence of heat, and which in diameter exceeds the inside diameter of the tubular core then driving the web core axially along the roller in contact with the rubber band for generating frictional heat to partially melt the rubber butween the tube and the roller.

10. The method of fitting a tubular shade web core to an undersize roller, which method comprises encircling the roller with a resilient ring which is substantially circular in cross-section so as to be rollable along the roller, then driving the web core axially along the roller in contact upon and about the ring, to advance the ring to a position within the core and in substantial frictional contact between the core and the roller for resisting relative movement therebetween.

11. The method of fitting a tubular shade Web core to an undersize roller, which method comprises winding upon the roller a number of convolutions of rubber cord with the convolutions grouped and overlapped to provide a bushing of greater diameter than the inside diameter of the core, then driving the tubular core axially along the core and over the bushing so formed, to bind the bushing between the core and the roller for establishing a substantial connection therebetween.

12. The method of fitting a tubular shade web core to an undersize roller, which method comprises encircling the roller with two resilient rings, each of which in diameter exceeds the inside diameter of the tubular core, and which in cross-section is substantially circular so as to be rollable along the roller, placing said rings upon the roller one near an end of the roller and the other near the middle thereof, then driving the tubular core axially along the roller in contact first upon and about the endmost ring, to and past an advanced position at which the core contacts and receives therein the second ring, and then further advancing the core to roll both rings along the roller until the core assumes a central position upon the roller.

W. MORSE HICKS. 

